Mediterranean mandarin tree named &#39;ODEM&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct mandarin variety of  Citrus deliciosa  Ten. named ‘ODEM’, particularly characterized by easy-peeling, mid-season ripening, high quality flavor, flattened-rounded fruit shape at stalk end, medium size fruit and dark orange-red skin color.

BOTANICAL NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Citrus deliciosa Ten (ex C.reticulata Blanco).

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘ODEM’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of amandarin tree, botanically known as Citrus deliciosa Ten., of theRutaceae Family, and hereinafter referred to by the variety denomination‘ODEM’.

The new Citrus deliciosa Ten. variety is a product of a planned breedingprogram conducted by the inventors, Nir Carmi, Hanna Neuman-Leshem,Ahuva Frydman-Shani, Pinchas Spiegel-Roy, Aliza Vardi, Avraham Ethanati,Yosef Yaniv, Kanonich Yeoshua, and Ahuva Daos, at the Volcani Center,located in Bet Dagan, Israel. The objective of the breeding program wasto develop a new easy peeling, mid-season ripening mandarin variety,with high quality flavor.

The new Citrus deliciosa Ten. variety originated from a mutation inducedby irradiation, in 1996, of a seedling which resulted from a cross madeby the inventors in 1985 at the Volcani Center. The female or seedparent is the Citrus deliciosa Ten. designated ‘ORAH’ (unpatented). Themale or pollen parent is the Citrus deliciosa Ten. designated ‘SHANI’(patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,634). The new Citrus deliciosa Ten.‘ODEM’, after irradiation, was observed and further selected, by theinventors, in a controlled environment in 2005 in the AgriculturalResearch Organization, The Volcani Center.

Asexual propagation of the new Citrus deliciosa Ten. variety ‘ODEM’ bygrafting onto ‘Troyer’ citrange—Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.×Poncirustrifoliata L. (unpatented) was first performed in April 1996 at theVolcani Center, and has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new variety are firmly fixedand retained through successive generations of asexual propagation. Thenew variety propagates true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe characteristics of ‘ODEM’, which in combination, distinguish thismandarin plant as a new, unique and distinct variety:

1. Easy-peeling;

2. Mid-season ripening;

3. High quality flavor;

4. Fruit shape at stalk end flattened-rounded;

5. Medium size fruit; and

6. Dark orange-red skin color.

In comparison to the parental varieties, ‘ORAH’ (unpatented) and ‘SHANI’(patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,634), ‘ODEM’ differs primarily in thetraits listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison of ‘ODEM’ with parent varieties. Female Parent MaleParent New Variety ‘ORAH’ ‘SHANI’(patented, Trait ‘ODEM’ (unpatented)USPP13,634) Color of rind dark orange red orange orange red SurfaceSmooth to medium smooth smooth rough Thickness of medium medium thinrind Adherence of weak weak weak rind to flesh

Of the many commercial varieties known to the present inventors, themost similar in comparison to the new Citrus deliciosa Ten. ‘ODEM’ isCitrus deliciosa Ten. ‘MURCOTT’, in the following characteristicsdescribed in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison of ‘ODEM’ with commercial variety. Comparison VarietyNew Variety ‘MURCOTT’ Characteristic ‘ODEM’ (unpatented) Color of rinddark orange red orange Surface Smooth to medium rough rough Thickness ofmedium thin rind Adherence of weak medium rind to flesh

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Citrus deliciosa Ten. variety ‘ODEM’ showing the colors as true asis reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colorsin the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited inthe detailed morphological description, which accurately describe thecolor of ‘ODEM’.

FIG. 1 shows an adult tree of ‘ODEM’.

FIG. 2 shows a fruit-bearing tree of ‘ODEM’.

FIG. 3 shows a typical leaf of ‘ODEM’

FIG. 4 shows a typical mature fruit of ‘ODEM’, viewed at base and apex.

FIG. 5 shows a mature fruit of ‘ODEM’ in cross section.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up view of skin oil glands of a mature fruit of‘ODEM’.

FIG. 7 shows the albedo on the inside peel of a mature fruit of ‘ODEM’.

DETAILED MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Citrus deliciosa Ten. ‘ODEM’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new variety mayvary with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, day length, soil or pruning, without any change in thegenotype of the mandarin plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘ODEM’ as grownin the orchard at the Agricultural Research Organization, The VolcaniCenter, under conditions which closely approximate those generally usedin commercial practice. “Pardes” the Hebrew word for citrus orchard isderived from the Persian “pairida{tilde over (e)}za” which meanssurrounded by a wall. From the same word the word “paradise” wasdeducted.

The described trees were grafted on ‘Troyer’ citrange—Citrus sinensis(L.) Osb.×Poncirus trifoliata L. (unpatented) and planted at a distanceof 1.5×5 m in sandy red loam soil at an elevation of about 30 metersabove sea level with Irrigation of 100 m³ per hectare during summer, andaddition of 1 liter of fertilizers (7:3:7+micro-elements (traceelements)) per 1 m³ of water. Average annual rainfall is about 550 mm,with an average 350 mm of rainfall in winter (December to February).Mean diurnal minimum temperature in January is 7.2° C., and mean diurnalmaximum temperature in July is 30.8° C.

Unless otherwise stated, the detailed morphological description includesobservations, measurements and values taken from 2009 to 2011 and basedon thirteen-year-old ‘ODEM’ trees, grafted in 1996 and grown in theorchard at the Volcani Center. Quantified measurements are expressed asan average or a range of measurements taken from a number of plants of‘ODEM’. The measurements of any individual plant, or any group ofplants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average or range.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), (1986 edition), except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsin full sunlight in the Agricultural Research Organization, The VolcaniCenter, located in Bet Dagan, Israel.

All of the plants of ‘ODEM’, insofar as they have been observed, havebeen consistent in all the characteristics described below.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Citrus deliciosa Ten.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Citrus deliciosa Ten. ‘ORAH’            (unpatented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Citrus deliciosa Ten. ‘SHANI’            (patented U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,634).-   Propagation: Grafting onto ‘Troyer’ citrange — Citrus sinensis (L.)    Osb.×Poncirus trifoliata L. (unpatented).-   Growing conditions:    -   -   Light intensities.—Full sunlight.

January February March April May June July August September OctoberNovember December Mean 17.8 18.1 20.1 24.5 27 29.2 30.8 31.2 30.4 28.324.1 19.7 maximum air temperature (° C.) Mean 7.2 7.1 8.8 11.5 14.6 17.920.6 21.2 19.4 16 11.8 8.6 minimum air temperature (° C.) Mean rainfall140.5 96.9 66.1 17.5 2.2 — — — 0.4 20.4 76.2 130.3 (mm)

-   -   -   Fertilization.—A balanced fertilizer with level of 7:3:7            (N:P:K)+micro-elements.        -   Growth regulators.—None used.        -   Pruning.—Manual pruning is applied. The size and overall            shape of mandarin trees essentially depend on pruning and            spacing. ‘ODEM’ was pruned, creating a tree which is conical            to spherical in shape with 4 or 5 main branches. When the            trees are freely grown, the size and the shape assumed by            the trees are typical of Citrus deliciosa Ten.

TABLE OF CHARACTERISTICS Age: Observed trees were 13-years-old. Fruit:Type: Mandarin. Tree: Vigor: strong. Height: about 2.5 m. Diameter ofcrown: about 2.5 m. Overall shape: triangular to rounded. Density ofcanopy: dense. No of main brunches: 5. Diameter of trunk: about 15 cm.Color of bark: very dark gray closest to RHS 201 A. Surface of bark:nearly smooth. Lenticels: not visible. Main branches: Attitude:semi-upright. Angle relative to trunk: about 45°. Length: about 2 m.Thickness: 5-10 cm. Color of bark: very dark gray closest to RHS 201 A.Surface of bark: nearly smooth. Lenticels: not visible. Water shoot:Diameter: Color: Spine length: Spine thickness: Spine color: Spineposition on branch: Spine attitude: Young leaf: Anthocyanin coloration:absent. Upper side green color: between RHS 146 A and 146 B. Lower sidegreen color: RHS 146 D. Surface: smooth. Glossiness: weak. Pubescence:absent. Fully developed leaf-blade: Length: 60-70 mm. Width: 28-32 cm.Shape in cross section: concave. Twisting: absent. Blistering: medium.Upper side green color: RHS 146 A. Lower side green color: RHS 146 D.Pubescence on upper side: absent. Pubescence on lower side: absent.Firmness: weak. Undulation of margin: medium. Incisions of margin:crenate. Depth of incisions of margin: shallow. Shape of apex: acutewith obtuse to rounded occasional emarginate tip. Shape of base: obtuse.Glossiness: weak. Petiole: Length: 12-15 mm. Width of wing: 1-2 mm.Width of wing relative to leaf blade: very narrow. Shape in crosssection: concave. Upper side green color: RHS 146 A. Lower side greencolor: RHS 146 D. Pubescence: absent. Surface: smooth. Petiole wing:Upper side green color: RHS 146 A. Lower side green color: RHS 146 D.Surface: smooth. Flower bud: Anthocyanin coloration: absent. Shape:spherical. Color: yellowish white RHS 150 D. Length: 5-8 mm. Diameter:about 5 mm. Vegetative bud: Anthocyanin coloration: absent. Shape:spherical. Color: very light green RHS 150 A. Length: 1-2 mm. Diameter:1-2 mm. Flower: No. of petals: 5. Shape: star-like. Diameter of corolla:16-20 mm. Scent: typical for citrus. Pedicel: Length: 4-5 mm. Shape incross section: circular. Color: light green RHS 144 C. Thickness: about1 mm. Calyx: Diameter: about 4 mm. Color: very light green between RHS145 C and 145 D. Shape: flattened. Shape of apex of lobe: acute. Size:miniscule. Petal: Shape: elongated. Length: 10-12 mm. Width: 5-6 mm.Color of upper side: white RHS 155 A. Color of lower side: white RHS 155A. Stamina: Number: about 17. Anther: Length: less then 1 mm. Color:yellow RHS 13 C. Shape: elongated. Fillament: Length: 5-7 mm. Thickness:less than 1 mm. Color: white RHS 155 A. Pollen: Color: yellow RHS 13 C.Viability: low. Style: Length: 5-6 mm. Diameter: 1-2 mm. Color: greenRHS 144 D. Stigma Shape: rounded. Color: yellow RHS 13 C. Fruit: Length:50-58 mm. Diameter: 66-78 mm. Ratio length/diameter: shorter than broad.Position of maximum diameter: in the middle. Shape in cross section:rounded scalloped. Shape at stalk end: flattened-rounded. Depression atstalk end: absent. Neck: absent. Radial grooves at stalk end: absent.Floral disc below calyx: absent. Abscission layer between calyx andfruit: absent. Shape at distal end: flattened-rounded. Depression atdistal end: present. Depth of depression at distal end: very shallowless than 1 mm. Diameter of depression relative to fruit: small. Areola:present, complete. Conspicuousness of areola: medium. Type of areola:smooth. Diameter of areola relative to diameter of fruit: large. Stylarscar: typical. Persistence of style: absent. Navel opening: present.Diameter of navel opening: 5-10 mm. Protrusion of navel: absent. Radialgrooves at distal end: absent. Main color of surface: dark orange redRHS 32 A. Pubescence of surface: absent. Glossiness: medium. Roughnessof surface: Smooth to medium. Evenness of size of oil glands: unevensmall and large ones. Size of larger oil glands: about 1 mm.Conspicuousness of larger oil glands: strong. Pebbles on oil glands:medium dense. Color of oil glands: light orange RHS 23B. Firmness:medium. Thickness of rind: medium 2-3 mm. Adherence of rind to flesh:weak. Strength of rind: strong. Oiliness of rind: medium. Oil glands oninner side: inconspicuous. Color of albedo: light orange RHS 27 B.Density of albedo: medium. Adherence of albedo to flesh: medium. Amountof fibers in albedo: few. Differently colored spots in flesh: none.Bicolored segments: none. Color of flesh: light orange RHS 25 B. Fillingof core: half filled. Diameter of core relative to fruit: medium 10-14mm. Number of non-developed segments: non or very few. Number ofdeveloped segments: many 11 or 12. Number of open segments: none.Adherence of segments: weak. Strength of segment wall: weak. Length ofjuice vesicle: 4-7 mm. Thickness of juice vesicle: about 4 mm.Conspicuousness of vesicle wall: inconspicuous. Adherence of juicevesicles: strong. Presence of navel viewed internally: present. Lengthof internal navel: short 6-13 mm. Ratio length/diameter of internalnavel: small. Juice content: medium. Total soluble solids: 15. Acidityof juice: 0.96. Strength of fiber: medium. Number of seeds: none or few,up to 4. Poly-embryonic seed: absent. Seed: Length: 9-13 mm. Width: 6-7mm. Surface (when fresh): smooth. Prominence of veins or wrinkles: notprominent. External color (when fresh): greenish white RHS 157 B. Colorof inner seed coat: greenish white RHS 157 B. Color of cotyledons:greenish RHS 145 C. External color (when dry): white RHS 155 B.Flowering habit: once per year. Fruit ripening: January-February.Parthenocarpy: present. Time of flowering March. DISEASE RESISTANCE:Brown Spot, Alternaria alternata pv. citri pathotype tangarin Solel PESTRESISTANCE: No atypical resistance has been noted. DISEASESUSCEPTIBILITY: None observed. PEST SUSCEPTIBILITY: None observed.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct mandarin variety of Citrus deliciosaTen. named ‘ODEM’, as illustrated and described herein.